Louis xv chair

A while ago I bought 4 beautiful Louois xv chairs. Ever since, I have problems dating them to the period of their origin.


They were upholstered with this greenish brocade. Sadly only one of them survived, the other were pretty damaged. It was probably silk since I tried burning a small piece and it didn't burn like synthetics. Underneath they were stuffed with black (probably horse?) hair.

The chairs were damaged over the years and someone tried fixing them (pretty badly tho).

They have been upholstered a few times over the time since they have a few rows of nail holes. Some of them are almost black, I guess the iron corroded and stained the wood.


There are also various cutting marks on the inside.


Beautiful carvings.




They are kinda lower than usual chairs and a bit wider.
I don't think they are french, perhaps italian?
If someone could help me identify the region of origin and perhaps put them in some time frame I'd be very happy!

 

I think they're French ca. 1860 or so.

 

I thought so too untill I found something similar. Ill try to find it on google again.
Not sure about France tho, the carvings don't really look traditionally French to me?
Thanks for your opinion!

 

Oh I forgot to mention, the carvings on 2 go to the left side while on the other 2 they are turned to right

 

I wonder if it isn't an Italian copy of a Louis Phillipe chair that was altered from rattan to normal upholstery.

 

could be original after all
https://www.ebay.fr/itm/fauteuil-antique-Louis-Philippe/283951301007

 

I found these on google. Supposedly they are early 20th century.

The carvings are pretty similar, leaf on the leg, shape of the back.. but it seems a bit roughly done? Mine are more delicate with small details.

After all, I have furniture from around 1910 and it has like two rows of nail holes which means they were upholstered only twice. These have like 4 rows.

Maybe someone can help us with the wood? The inside where it has no finish, the wood gives off a very nice smell? All four of them

 

Probably rosewood.

 

Thank you!

 

I believe the carvings are mirror-turned to indicate a pair. When on display in a room, or against a wall , a pair would have mirror-turned carvings for aesthetic effect.

 

Inconclusive forensic observations: Are those not circular saw marks in the wood in Pics 5 and 6, dating them to no earlier than mid-19th century? The seats appear wider than the typical 19th century American versions, but still not wide enough for 18th century. (Think about the parking requirements for the volume of the costume silhouette of the period). The carving does not look American either. If they were 18th century I would expect much more upholstery and gimp tack evidence.

 

Wouldn't gimp tacks add a 2nd layer with each reupholstery event?

 

There were different types of nails. Who ever has reupholstered it the last time hasn't removed all of the old nails. Some of them were really small, like 5 millimeters. Beside those, there were nails that were hand sharpened and some almost like nowadays nails but with biger heads.

Those saw marks are pretty irregular for a victorian machine. Plus they don't simply go up and down but are rather cut with an angle.

 

Again:

 

I got them upholstered! (And I'm currently working on the dining table)

 

@Matt Johnson Nice job, Matt! Congratulations, the ensemble looks fantastic. I just luv' to see fine antiques restored so they can be used, not just waiting for work!

 

Thank you! They turned out pretty fancy, can't wait to use them.

 

The blue really pops! Do you live in a climate where they can be kept outside? Or was the photo just for displaying them here?

 

No, I literally took the picture when they arrived from the upholstere. It always looks better with natural light, the blue color isn't as vibrant inside.
Thank you!